Some useful Links Delphi Stained Glass lots of supplies lead free solder, irons Radio Shack soldering station and lead free Volcano Book Arts find tools and equipment you might need Embellishment great assortment of beads findings & chain Ballchain mfg co inc Ballchain in the US Jewelry Supply Microscope Slides search 'box microscope slides' on ebay.com or try this url I found or here, You want the $3.15 one Collective Artworks Glass slides and other goodies Art Chix Studio sells optical lenses, also try ebay search Random Art Designs tutorial on making an antique optical pendant Useful UK addresses Maplin Electronics online and retail for tools & lead free solder Warton Metals lead free solder in the UK R Lamb for microscope slides Sturge for large amounts of ball chain Give Us Diamonds not a useful link at all, but my daughter would be very surprised to get a load of hits suddenly--she did her sweet site all in html, none of this instant web page stuff for her |
How to start making a mini collage slide pendant Basic instructions and tips You'll need microscope glass slides 1x3" collages of the same size copper tape (from stained glass suppliers) 1/4" wide solder- pref lead free thin size i.e. 1-2 mm thick (as opposed to the plumbers thick stuff that wont melt unless you have a very hot and large soldering iron which will be too thick and will run everywhere--trust me ) I bought 1LB of it as you get through a lot--quickly soldering iron--used hubbies 25watt one --not hot enough so went a bought a variable temp controlled 50 watt one--from Maplins-type in the search box at top --N78AR to see,-not very expensive--and much safer flux--unless you get the lead free solder ones that have flux already in them--like the ones from Maplins Electronics (a nation wide store --maybe Tandy and Radio Shack in US also do it) saves lot of time if doing a lot of them. Here is some leadfree solder they do, in small amounts though. And here is their soldering station-cheaper than over here jump rigs, ball chain or something to hang it with, flat nose pliers, burnisher tool, I use my scalpel handle bit, but I am very careful, so far Collages--sort out your images-you could do them digitally or just cut out as usual--allow 1/16 to 1/8th inch of this to be covered by the tape around all edges.Front and something on the back. Spot of glue to keep together. Place between 2 microscope slides. Check for marks on the inside first though Peel paper off some of the Copper Tape and lay sides down along the middle of your tape all the way around the edges. Can overlap a bit. Fold over tape, around the sides, folding in the corners neatly, then burnish gently down all sides Thin brushing of flux if flux free solder Soldering. Solder in left hand--iron in right--put the tip of solder on the copper with tip of iron also on the copper just in front touching all together, go down the sides of the frame--all the way around. Than do the backs. Then do the sides. I use a small clamp on a metal sheet and the slide, to stop it moving. Try and get a nice smooth domed bead all around. You can go over it a bit to sooth out. Best to practise for a bit. But I also like the bumpy look in some cases Fixing the jump ring. Flux the join. Take some solder on the iron tip and put on the ring, with pliers, hold ring to the top middle of slide and heat and push down into place , hold to cool a second. If it isn't in right place --its easy to reheat and replace--and again--can be fiddly--but everything needs some practise. If the glass has melted glue residue on the sides, I used white spirit to clean it off. Then to clean it sparkling I used washing powder detergent. You can patina the solder, I used Moden Masters Metal Effects, black patina aging solution, watered down, to give an old look, to the ball chain also. There are many variations as to what else you can do with decorating your pendants--see the artwork for some ideas These are great to make, so do try them . Gillian Allen. June 4th 03 |
We've had a great learning curve with this swap. If you want to try these pendants
I've given tips and instructions at the bottom of the page |
Teresa Lipiec, UK On an antique style paper I stamped a script background. I cut the paper to the size of the microscope slide and add a small feather (glued on using my small xyron). Turning the paper over I applied my collage elements, and used a metallic gel pen to colour any gaps. I then sandwiched my finished collage between two microscope slides and used copper tape around the sides. I coated the copper in flux and soldered around the edges. The loop was made out of copper wire that was soldered to the top of the frame. I rubbed the solder with steel wire to clean and smooth it and I antiqued the solder with a solution of copper sulphate and water. |
